Projects
Stand By Me Project for Transpersons
This is the first project undertaken by us. In 2010/2011 we conducted a pilot study (pdf attached) under the title “Social and economic rehabilitation of transgender persons from sex work and begging” to understand from the trans community about their challenges and needs. Based on the outcome, we designed a road map to address Under the project, we provide: support in obtaining public benefits and documents, skill development trainings, educational and employment support, entrepreneurial training and fund-raising, psychological counselling through a dedicated toll-free helpline, legal-aid, etc.
Toll-free Helpline for Trans-persons (English and Tamil) – 1800-532-0-532
Rural Learning Centre
Rural learning centres are holistic environments for the children where they learn for pleasure and curiosity. We encourage activity based learning so that children can get exposed or do deep-dives into topics that are outside of a school syllabus. Typically the children are guided by resources persons who are a mix of generalists and specialists. Specialized training by qualified professionals is provided for activities such as silambam, yoga, creative arts, puppetry, sports, computer applications, language or vocational skill development. Our centres have well-stocked libraries including bi-lingual books, games, computers, projectors, stationery supplies etc in a combined reading and play spaces.
- Katrampatti centre – established in February 2016 with support from the local MLA fund and private sponsors. We host around 25 to 30 children on weekdays and 35 to 40 children on weekends. The centre was inaugurated by Thiru. V. K Jeyakodi IAS, (then Additional Chief Secretary) & Dr. C. Ramasubramanian MBBS, DPM, MD, PhD – Psychiatry (Founder of Ahana Hospitals and MS Chellamuthu Trust).
- Sakkampatty centre – established in April 2017 with support from Mahindra & Mahindra and Thiru K. Sellamuthu. The centre was inaugurated by Mr. R. Sakkarapani MLA, Oddanchatram.
Lifeline
Lifeline is an integrated slum redevelopment project in association with Studio RecycleBin It’s goal is to deconstruct the widespread notion of slums as an issue of habitat. In the race to find solutions to lessen the gap between housing demand and housing supply, livelihood and liveability are often forgotten. Focusing on the holistic development and empowerment of urban poor communities, the project bridges the gap between government bodies, citizens and civil society organizations by setting up frameworks through a convergence model. The project is to facilitate the development of the urban poor and at the same time provide the setting to take charge of the development of their community both socially and spatially.
Pilot projects are on-going at Pumping Station Slum in Chintadripet, slums in Lock Nagar, N.N Nagar, Goyyathope, and Cox colony. This project is coordinated with the support of the Greater Chennai Corporation, UN-IHE Delft, and other TN Govt.agencies
Mentally-ill homeless
India is home to 1.8 million homeless persons (Census of India, 2011), of whom 35% are estimated to live with a severe mental health issue and co-occurring substance use issues. This project seeks to coordinate response between government agency, civil society, and ngo institutions to enhance awareness on the issue of homelessness, establish response protocols including a helpline to rescue mentally-ill homeless persons and support their recovery and rehabilitation.